Legacy of Conservation – 50 Years and Counting

By |2012-07-06T20:09:49-05:00July 2nd, 2012|Categories: 50th Anniversary|Tags: , |

The Ozark Society will mark its 50th Anniversary of conservation efforts in Arkansas this weekend with a return to its original roots on the beautiful Buffalo River. [divider] The two-day celebration at Tyler Bend Recreation Area for OS members and honored guests will include hiking and paddling activities along the iconic Ozark stream the organization was founded to save from being dammed by the Corps of Engineers in 1962. The perseverance of founder Dr. Neil Compton and his like-minded friends extended for 10 years before the free-flowing Buffalo River was named the first “national river” in 1972, to be preserved and enjoyed forevermore as a natural treasure. The anniversary, however, will also recognize the many other contributions to conservation the OS has achieved during a half-century of its steadfast pursuit of its mission to preserve the wild and scenic rivers, wilderness and unique natural features of the Ozark-Ouachita region. Paraphrasing the words of President Theodore Roosevelt, the rich legacy can be attributed to a record of speaking softly and carrying a big stick. For OS members past and present, the “stick” refers the paddles and hiking sticks used for their avid enjoyment of streams and trails. Speaking softly, on the other [...]